Shrikekit's Apprentice Ceremony

Despite the seemingly everlasting heat, Ivystar made her way towards the Willow Branch. It seemed as if her fluffy coat was clinging to her skin, and the lack of cool water in their streams and rivers made the heat all that much worse. She would try to be quick with this ceremony, so she could go back to lamenting over their situation in the shade rather than out in the open sun. "All cats old enough to catch their own prey, gathering beneath the Willow Branch for a Clan meeting!" She yowled as she leaped onto the branch.

Shrikekit's bright eyes peered out from the nursery. They were slowly fading from a kit-blue into a bright yellow green. He was certain this was his ceremony: He was six moons. One by one, his siblings had entered the den. It was best for last, right? He only hoped Ivystar wasn't intentionally doing it last. Sighing, the ghost tabby slipped out of the nursery and sat at the front of the crowd, a little nervously despite the excitement of the whole thing. Within only a few seconds, his dark, thick fur was soaking up heat. Shrikekit edged forwards, until he was within the shade of the Willow Branch. Hopefully his mentor would let him go swimming immediately, because stars was it hot out here.

Once Shrikekit was within eyesight, Ivystar stated, "Shrikekit, please step forward." After the little kit had done so, she continued to the better part of the ceremony. "Shrikekit, you have reached the age of six moons and it is time for you to become an apprentice. From this day onward until you earn your warrior name, you will be known as Shrikepaw. Nightwolf will be your mentor." Ivystar then joined her Clanmates in celebrating the newly named apprentice.

"What?" Nightwolf lifted his head, chewing a fish. He hadn't expected to get another apprentice so soon after Mottlepaw disappeared. But it happened. Quickly eating his fish back up, Nightwolf headed over to his new apprentice. He briefly touched his nose to Shrikepaw's before pulling back. "Tomorrow afternoon we'll go training!" He said excitedly.